OFF THE MAP

Despite unfavorable economic conditions and the desire, brought
on by the terrorist attacks, to cocoon, Americans are still
expected to spend an estimated $373 billion on food away from home
this year — on everything from candy bars in vending machines
to six-course meals at five-star restaurants. In fact, by year's
end, the restaurant industry will have increased sales by an
estimated 3.9 percent over 2001.* The Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) reports that in 2000 (the latest year for which detailed
consumer data is available), the typical American household spent
$2,137 (41 percent of the annual food budget) on food consumed away
from home. Households headed by someone between 45 and 54 years of
age spend the most on dining out — $2,638 on average —
while the young (under age 25) spend the greatest share of their
food budget (49 percent) away from home. Interestingly, young
adults are as familiar with the kitchens of American restaurants as
they are with the dining rooms. Of the nation's 8.1 million
employees at restaurants and bars, 45 percent are under the age of
25, reports the BLS. Free food and tips — not bad for a first
job.
*National Restaurant Association

OUT ON THE TOWN

New York City may be known as the
country's restaurant capital, but Springfield, Mass. has one
restaurant for every 78 residents.

RANK

METRO AREA

PERSONS PER RESTAURANT

1

Springfield, MA

78

2

Myrtle Beach, SC

250

3

Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA

295

4

Atlantic City-Cape May, NJ

300

5

Pittsfield, MA

305

60

Boston-Worchester, MA

511

157

New York, NY

586

160

Philadelphia, PA

587

174

Chicago, IL

602

242

LA-Long Beach, CA

674

Source: Easi Analytic Software,
Inc.

CHECK, PLEASE!

Projected food and drink sales for 2002 (in billions) for the
following types of food industry vendors:

•

Full-service restaurants

$146.7

•

Fast-food restaurants

$115.2

•

Managed services*

$26.8

•

Lodging (hotels, motels, etc.)

$18.6

•

Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars

$14.9

•

Bars and taverns

$13.3

*Includes office cafeterias,
hospitals, schools, etc.

Source: National Restaurant
Association

CAFÉ CULTURE

Americans spend only 2 percent of their away- from-home food
budget at cafés and bars, compared with Spaniards, who devote
40 percent.

PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL CONSUMERS' AWAY-FROM-HOME FOOD

BUDGET DEVOTED TO THE FOLLOWING VENDOR TYPES, BY
COUNTRY:*

FULL-SERVICE

FAST FOOD

CAFÉS/BARS

Mexico

83%

13%

4%

Argentina

77%

21%

2%

Japan

63%

14%

23%

Italy

60%

18%

23%

Brazil

55%

28%

17%

Germany

48%

43%

9%

United States

47%

50%

2%

Spain

47%

13%

40%

United Kingdom

27%

41%

32%

*Due to rounding, numbers may not add
to 100.

Source: Euromonitor, 2002

THE LUNCH CROWD

Americans most likely to eat lunch in a sit-down restaurant, by
demographic:

INDEX*

•

College educated

120

•

Individuals earning $75,000 or more annually

115

•

Adults age 65 and older

114

•

Women

109

•

Midwesterners

107

•

Asians

106

*The national average is 100. For
example, Americans with a college degree are 20 percent more likely
than the average American to eat lunch at a sit-down
restaurant.

Source: Mediamark Research, Inc.,
2001

BIG CUP

Metros ranked by residents' propensity to eat at a
coffeehouse:

INDEX*

•

San Francisco

237

•

Seattle

199

•

Sacramento

183

•

San Diego

160

•

Los Angeles

160

*The national average is 100. For
example, San Francisco residents are 137 percent more likely to eat
at a coffee shop than the average American.